As a person from Chicago, I’m interested in taking a trip to New York City in about the next year or so, what can I expect in New York City?

Travel around NYC is cheapest and easiest using public transportation, mostly subways.  You definitely should get to boroughs outside Manhattan.  Expect to spend ten days to two weeks just to skim off the top of what's available.  You don't mention any interests, so I'll list some popular or interesting things in each borough.

Bronx:  world famous zoo with thousands of interesting animals, birds, etc.  Yankee Stadium.  Botanical gardens near the zoo.

Brooklyn:  Coney Island amusement park; also beach.  Flatbush area might be interesting to visit, and some good ethnic restaurants.

Manhattan:  United Nations.  Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The Cloisters (museum oriented to medieval--beautiful grounds and view; pre-COVID had Sunday concerts of early music).  Museum of Natural History.  Greenwich Village for nightlife.  Wall Street.  Theater District/Times Square.  Easily sixty different national and ethnic cuisines in restaurants, try as many as you can.

Queens--NY Mets stadium.  Flushing Meadow park with zoo where you walk at tree top level to see the birds, a small planetarium, other features.

Staten Island:  Richmondtown Restoration, revolutionary war era village.  Zoo specializing in fish and reptiles, but with plenty of mammals.

Your question is a little hard to answer because no one but you knows what you would like to do and see.  Here's my best bet:

1) When I visit NYC, I do a LOT of walking.  It's not just to save money.  It's because the streets of Manhattan are fascinating.  I have literally walked from one end of the island to the other (the long way, I mean), and I loved every minute of it.  If you are not a big walking, then go online before your trip and study the NYC subway map, especially in relation to Manhattan.  Riding the subway is part of the experience.  Unless you go out late at night, there is no need to waste money on taxis.  

2) Also go online to Airb&b.  You can find some deals even in Manhattan.  Okay, maybe they won't be exactly what you wanted, but if you are short on cash, it will really help to save a lot of money here.  Really do try to find a place in Manhattan.  This will save a lot of time traveling back and forth from Brooklyn or Queens or wherever.  

3)  No need to go to every borough.  There are great things to see in all of them, but unless you are going to be in NYC for a month, you can keep yourself quite occupied with the best, and that will be in Manhattan.  If you can swing it, I'd say plan at least a two week trip.  If that is too long, then go for one week.  

4) But what sorts of things do you want to do?  There are so many great museums in NYC (mostly in Manhattan).  There are the incredible art museums (Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, etc. etc.etc.) as well as the Natural History Museum, and all sorts of historical sites.  You gotta see the Statue of Liberty.  Really. . . it's almost a law that you have to go.  And it is worth it.  Ellis Island is another favorite of mine.  Of course, if you can swing the price, definitely go to a Broadway show.  Be sure to get your tickets way in advance.  The most popular shows run out of tickets way ahead of time, and you don't want to get the worst seats in the house.  And definitely walk the High Line and go into Central Park.  Naturally, if you like the opera or the symphony, attend those while you are there.  

5) As far as food goes, do not go to tourist traps!  If at all possible, find someone who lives in Manhattan (and not the guy at the front desk of a hotel) and ask where they go.  Stop people on the street if you have to and ask. Talking to real New Yorkers should be part of the experience of going to New York.  Tell them you want cheap but incredible.  NYC has food from all over the world.  Okay, Chicago, I am sure, also does.  But (and I am speaking as a born and raised New Yorker when I say this) New York has more and better!  Unfortunately, I haven't lived in NYC for over 30 years, or I'd tell you myself.  

6) Of course, New York and Chicago have many things in common.  You know how to do big cities.  That will be a real advantage for you when you visit.  You probably already are aware of this but. . . it is safe to be out on the streets late at night as long as there are other people around.  And, if you are still not sure, check who is out there with you.  If you see only young men, you are probably just fine anyway.  But if you see women (or, even better, women and children), then you know nothing bad is likely to happen.  On the other hand, if it is late at night and you are the only ones out there?  Time to get a cab back to your hotel as fast as you can.  In the subway, it is the same thing.  If there are very few people around and you start to worry, go to a middle car.  There tends to be more people there, and that makes it safer.  

I am one of those fanatical (ex) New Yorkers, who loves the city.  I had a trip planned last year at the end of March and. . . well, I didn't go.  Hopefully I'll get to go soon.  Although I don't want to live in New York anymore, I will love it forever.  

Most of what you want to see and do is in Manhattan, although it's nice to take the ferry ride to Staten Island. Anonymous has exaggerated the costs. There are some perfectly nice hotels available for under $200 a night, depending on when you go. I would suggest Sept-Oct. It's after the peak season, but the weather is usually really nice- not hot and not cold. I've been to both New York and Chicago recently, and I didn't find the prices any different. If you're willing to grab a sandwich, or eat at ethnic places, you can certainly lunch for under $20. Plan on a couple of nice dinners- those can easily run $100 a person. There's lots to see and do that's free by just walking around. Try looking at some sights like Tripadvisor to get an idea of the attractions and prices. Tripadvisor also has links to tours, and it would be a good idea to do a guided walking tour. 

Virtually every visitor runs out of money before they run out of things to see and do in NYC.

Hotels are expensive. Expect $400 or more a night for a Hilton or Marriott in Manhattan. Prices vary seasonally.

Meals are expensive. Lunch at Applebee's near Times Square, no alcohol, over $50. (And grocery items cost more, so you don't equal prices at home if you buy something you can microwave at your hotel.) Hot dog carts are popular for a reason.

Entertainment is expensive. Decent seats at Broadway are usually over $130. Museums cost $25-35 per adult. To budget properly, look up the prices of everything you might want to do and choose accordingly.

Parking is expensive and often impossible to find within a mile of where you want to go.

Souvenirs, however, are bargain priced. Walking to see places you've seen in movies or on TV is free. The subway is decent. Central Park is quite nice.

i would make sure you have enough money, it can get expensive there